Fiber to the antenna

ABSTRACT

A cell site includes a tower, a multi-service terminal mounted to the tower and a base transceiver station in communication with the multi-service terminal. The multi-service terminal includes a housing and a plurality of adapters mounted to the housing. Each of the adapters includes an outer port accessible from outside the housing and an inner port accessible from inside the housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 15/408,034,filed Jan. 17, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,888,524, which is acontinuation of application Ser. No. 14/749,213, filed Jun. 24, 2015,now U.S. Pat. No. 9,553,669, which is a continuation of application Ser.No. 13/087,022, filed Apr. 14, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,078,287, whichapplication claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No.61/324,245, filed Apr. 14, 2010, which applications are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a cell site of atelecommunications network. The cell site includes a tower, amulti-service terminal mounted to the tower and a base transceiverstation in communication with the multi-service terminal. Themulti-service terminal includes a housing and a plurality of adaptersmounted to the housing. Each of the adapters includes an outer portaccessible from outside the housing and an inner port accessible frominside the housing.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a telecommunicationsnetwork. The telecommunications network includes a cell site and abackhaul in communication with the cell site. The cell site includes atower, a multi-service terminal mounted to the tower and a basetransceiver station in communication with the multi-service terminal.The multi-service terminal includes a housing and a plurality ofadapters mounted to the housing. Each of the adapters includes an outerport accessible from outside the housing and an inner port accessiblefrom inside the housing. A plurality of remote transceivers is incommunication with the outer ports of the adapters of the multi-serviceterminal.

A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the descriptionthat follows. These aspects can relate to individual features and tocombinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoinggeneral description and the following detailed description are exemplaryand explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad concepts uponwhich the embodiments disclosed herein are based.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a telecommunications networkhaving exemplary features of aspects in accordance with the principlesof the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a top portion of a tower of thetelecommunications network of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a multi-service terminal suitable foruse with the telecommunications network of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the multi-service terminal of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the multi-service terminal of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an enclosure that is suitable for usewith the telecommunications network of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the enclosure of FIG. 6 with a cover inan open position.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the enclosure with the cover removed.

FIG. 9 is an alternate embodiment of a telecommunications network havingexemplary features of aspects in accordance with the principles of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an enclosure suitable for use with thetelecommunications network of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the enclosure of FIG. 10 with a cover in anopen position.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the enclosure of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is an alternate embodiment of a telecommunications networkhaving exemplary features of aspects in accordance with the principlesof the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a multi-service terminal suitable foruse with the telecommunications network of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the multi-service terminal of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is an alternate embodiment of a telecommunications networkhaving exemplary features of aspects in accordance with the principlesof the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a cable drawer assembly suitable foruse in the telecommunications network of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the cable drawer assembly of FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary aspects of thepresent disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughoutthe drawings to refer to the same or like structure.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic representation of atelecommunications network 10 is shown. In the depicted embodiment, thetelecommunications network 10 is a cellular network 10. The cellularnetwork 10 includes a cell site 12, a demarcation point 14, a backhaul16 and a core network 18.

The cell site 12 creates an area of telecommunications coverage (i.e., acell) in the cellular network 10. In one embodiment, the cell site 12includes a tower or mast 20 and a hut 22 that is in communication withthe tower 20. In another embodiment, the cell site 12 includes a hut 22that is in communication with an antenna or a plurality of antenna.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the tower 20 includes a base portion 24and an oppositely disposed top portion 26. In the depicted embodiment,the base portion 24 is rigidly fixed at a mounting location.

The top portion 26 includes a remote transceiver 28 (e.g., a remoteradio head). The remote transceiver 28 is adapted to transmit andreceive signals to and from devices (e.g., mobile phones, smart-phones,devices with wireless internet connectivity, etc.) of subscribers to thecellular network 10. In the depicted embodiment, the top portion 26 ofthe tower 20 includes a first remote transceiver 28 a, a second remotetransceiver 28 b, a third remote transceiver 28 c, a fourth remotetransceiver 28 d, a fifth remote transceiver 28 e and a sixth remotetransceiver 28 f. In the subject embodiment, the fourth, fifth and sixthremote transceivers 28 d-28 f are backup remote transceivers.

In one embodiment, the top portion 26 of the tower 20 may include anantenna. The remote transceiver 28 may be integrated into the antenna.In another embodiment,

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, the top portion 26 of the tower 20 furtherincludes a multi-service terminal 30. Terminal that are suitable for useas the multi-service terminal 30 of the present disclosure have beendescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,292,763 and 7,512,304, the disclosures ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The multi-service terminal 30 includes a housing 32. The housing 32includes a first piece 34 and a second piece 36. In the depictedembodiment, the first piece 34 is a front piece while the second piece36 is a back piece. The first and second pieces 34, 36 of the housing 32cooperatively define an enclosed interior of the housing 32. The firstand second pieces 34, 36 are joined by fasteners 38 (e.g., bolts orother fastening elements) spaced about a periphery of the main housing32.

The first and second pieces 34, 36 are elongated along a centrallongitudinal axis 40 so as to extend generally from a first end 42 to anoppositely disposed second end 44 of the housing 32. The drop terminalfurther includes a gasket mounted between the front and back pieces ofthe main housing. The gasket extends around the perimeter or peripheryof the main housing and prevents moisture from entering the interior ofthe assembled main housing. The multi-service terminal 30 also includesruggedized fiber optic adapters 46 mounted to the first piece 34 of thehousing 32. It will be understood that the term “ruggedized” refers to acomponent or system that is capable of withstanding the elements of anoutdoor environment and that reduces the risk of or prevents the ingressof dirt, dust, water, etc. from entering the terminal. Each of the fiberoptic adapters 46 includes an outer port 48 accessible from outside thehousing 32 and an inner port accessible from the interior of the housing32. In the depicted embodiment, the second end 44 of the housing 32defines a cable port 50 for allowing a fiber optic cable 52 toenter/exit the interior of the housing 32. The fiber optic cable isbroken out into individual optical fiber cables within the interior ofthe housing. The optical fiber cables are routed about cable guides andare terminated with cable connectors and connected to inner ends ofconnectors.

The housing 32 of the multi-service terminal 30 includes a length L anda width W. The length L is parallel to the central longitudinal axis 40of the housing 32. First, second and third rows 54 a, 54 b, 54 c offiber optic adapters 46 are mounted to the first piece 34 of the housing32. In the depicted embodiment, each of the first, second and third rows54 a, 54 b, 54 c includes four fiber optic adapters 46 spaced-apartacross the width W of the housing 32. The first row 54 a is locatedclosest the first end 42 of the housing 32, the third row 56 c islocated closest the second end 44 of the housing 32 and the second row56 b is located between the first and third rows 56 a, 56 c. An exteriorsurface 58 of the first piece 34 has a stepped configuration with afirst, second and third step 60 a, 60 b, 60 c positioned consecutivelyalong the length L of the housing 32. Each of the first, second andthird steps 60 a, 60 b, 60 c includes an adapter mounting wall 62 a-c.The adapter mounting wall 62 a-c of each of the first, second and thirdsteps 60 a, 60 b, 60 c defines adapter mounting openings in which thefiber optic adapters 46 are mounted.

As shown at FIG. 5, the adapter mounting walls 62 a-62 c are generallyparallel to one another and are spaced apart along the length L of thehousing 32. The adapter mounting walls 62 a-62 c have front faces thatare aligned at an oblique angle θ₁ relative to a plane P that extendsthrough a center axis 66 of the fiber optic cable 52 and across thewidth W of the housing 32. The angled configuration of the adaptermounting walls 62 causes the fiber optic adapters 46 to be angledrelative to the plane P. For example, center axes 68 of the fiber opticadapters 46 are shown aligned at an oblique angle θ₂ relative to theplane P. In this way, the outer ports 48 of the fiber optic adapters 46face generally in the same direction that the fiber optic cable 52enters/exits the multi-service terminal 30.

Referring now to FIG. 2, each of the remote transceivers 28 a-28 fincludes an input port 70 and an output port 72. The input port 70 is aconnection location through which signals from the core network 18 arereceived by the remote transceiver 28 and then transmitted from theremote transceiver 28 to a subscriber. The output port 72 is aconnection location through which signals from the subscriber are sentto the core network 18.

In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 2, each input port 70 and each outputport 72 of the remote transceivers 28 is optically connected to themulti-service terminal 30. The remote transceivers 28 are incommunication with the multi-service terminal 30 through a plurality offiber optic drop cables 74. A first plurality of fiber optic drop cables74 a provides communication between the first remote transceiver 28 aand the multi-service terminal 30. A second plurality of fiber opticdrop cables 74 b provides communication between the second remotetransceiver 28 b and the multi-service terminal 30. A third plurality offiber optic drop cables 74 c provides communication between the thirdremote transceiver 28 c and the multi-service terminal 30. A fourthplurality of fiber optic drop cables 74 d provides communication betweenthe fourth remote transceiver 28 d and the multi-service terminal 30. Afifth plurality of fiber optic drop cables 74 e provides communicationbetween the fifth remote transceiver 28 e and the multi-service terminal30. A sixth plurality of fiber optic drop cables 74 f providescommunication between the sixth remote transceiver 28 f and themulti-service terminal 30.

Each of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth pluralities offiber optic drop cables 74 a-74 f includes a first drop cable 76 a and asecond drop cable 76 b. Each of the first and second drop cables 76 a,76 b includes a first end 78 and an oppositely disposed second end 80.The first and second ends 78, 80 include fiber optic connectors 82. Inone embodiment, the fiber optic connectors 82 are simplex-fiberconnectors (e.g., SC, LC, etc.). In another embodiment, the fiber opticconnectors 82 are multi-fiber connectors.

The fiber optic connector 82 on the first end 78 of the first drop cable76 a of the first plurality of fiber optic drop cables 74 a is engagedto one of the fiber optic adapters 46 of the multi-service terminal 30while the second end 80 of the first drop cable 76 a is engaged to theinput port 70 of the first remote transceiver 28 a. The fiber opticconnector 82 on the first end 78 of the second drop cable 76 b of thefirst plurality of fiber optic drop cables 74 a is engaged to another ofthe fiber optic adapters 46 of the multi-service terminal 30 while thesecond end 80 of the second drop cable 76 b is engaged to the outputport 72 of the first remote transceiver 28 a. Each of the fiber opticconnectors 82 on the first ends 78 of the first and second drop cables76 a, 76 b of the first, second, third, forth, fifth and sixth pluralityof fiber optic drop cables 28 a-28 f is engaged with a different fiberoptic adapter 46 of the multi-service terminal 30.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the hut 22 will be described. In the depictedembodiment, the hut 22 is disposed near the base portion 24 of the tower20. The hut 22 is a structure that includes a plurality of walls 84 anda roof 86. The walls 84 and the roof 86 of the hut 22 cooperativelydefine an interior 88 of the hut 22.

In the depicted embodiment, a base transceiver station (BTS) 90 isdisposed in the interior 88 of the hut 22. The base transceiver station90 facilitates wireless communication between the devices of subscribersto the cellular network 10 and the core network 18.

The base transceiver station 90 can include a plurality of transceiversfor receiving and transmitting signals and a power amplifier foramplifying the signals. The base transceiver station 90 can beconfigured for any one or more telecommunications standards including 3G(e.g., GSM, EDGE, UMTS, CDMA, DECT, WiMAX, etc.), LTE, and 4G. In oneembodiment, the base transceiver station 90 includes an opticalmultiplexer to join signals to be transmitted together and ademultiplexer to separate received signals.

The base transceiver station 90 is connected to the remote transceivers28 on the top portion 26 of the tower 20 through an enclosure 92. In thedepicted embodiment, the enclosure 92 is disposed on an exterior surface94 of the hut 22.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, the enclosure 92 is shown. The enclosure 92includes a housing 94 having a base 96 and a cover 98. The cover 98 isremovably engaged to the base 96.

The base 96 includes a base wall 100, a first end 102 extendingoutwardly from the base wall 100 and an oppositely disposed second end104 extending outwardly from the base wall 100. The first end 102defines a first cable passage 106 and a second cable passage 108. Eachof the first and second cable passages 106, 108 provide a pathway intoan interior region 110 of the enclosure 92. The interior region 110 iscooperatively defined by the base 96 and the cover 98.

The enclosure 92 further includes a base panel 112 disposed in theinterior region 110. The base panel 112 is mounted to the base wall 100of the enclosure 92. In one embodiment, the base panel 112 occupies lessthan or equal to about 75% of the base wall 100. In another embodiment,the base panel 112 occupies less than or equal to about 50% of the basewall 100. In the depicted embodiment, the base panel 112 is disposedadjacent to the second end 104 of the enclosure 92. In the depictedembodiment, the base panel 112 is disposed closer to the second end 104of the enclosure 92 than the first end 102.

The base panel 112 includes a termination region 114, a fanout region116 and a storage region 118. The termination region 114 includes aplurality of fiber optic adapters 120. In the depicted embodiment, theenclosure 92 includes twenty-four fiber optic adapters 120. Each of thefiber optic adapters 120 includes a first side 122 and an oppositelydisposed second side 124. In the depicted embodiment, the plurality offiber optic adapters 120 is disposed adjacent to the second end 104 ofthe enclosure 92.

The fanout region 116 includes a platform 125. The platform 125 isoffset from the base panel 112 so that the platform 125 is generallyparallel to the base panel 112. In the depicted orientation of FIG. 7,the platform 125 is elevated above the base panel 112. A support 126 isengaged to the base panel 112 and the platform 125. The support 126extends outwardly from the base panel 112 in a generally perpendiculardirection. In the depicted embodiment, the support 126 is disposed at aperiphery 127 of the base panel 112.

The fanout region 116 further includes a first fanout 128 a and a firstfiber optic cable stub 130 a engaged to the first fanout 128 a. In thedepicted embodiment, the fanout region 116 includes a second fanout 128b and a second fiber optic cable stub 130 b engaged to the second fanout128 b.

Each of the first and second fiber optic cable stubs 130 a, 130 bincludes a plurality of optical fibers 132. The first and second fanouts128 a, 128 b are adapted to fan-out or spread apart the optical fibers132 of the first and second fiber optic cable stubs 130 a, 130 b. In thedepicted embodiment, the first and second fanouts 128 a, 128 b aredisposed in a stacked arrangement in the fanout region 116. In thedepicted embodiment, the first and second fanouts 128 a, 128 b aremounted to platform 125 of the base panel 112 of the enclosure 92 by aplurality of fasteners 134 (e.g., screws, nuts, bolts, adhesive,resilient latches, etc.).

Each of the first and second fiber optic cable stubs 130 a, 130 bincludes a first end portion 136 and a second end portion 138. The firstend portion 136 of each of the first and second fiber optic cable stubs130 a, 130 b includes an outer jacket that surrounds the optical fibers.The first end portion 136 is generally stiff. In one embodiment, thefirst end portion 136 has a generally flat cross-section and includestwo strength members. The first end portions 136 of the first and secondfiber optic cable stubs 130 a, 130 b is generally aligned with the firstcable passage 106.

Each of the first end portions 136 of the first and second fiber opticcable stubs 130 a, 130 b includes a multi-fiber connector 142 engaged tothe optical fibers 132. The multi-fiber connectors 142 are ruggedizedconnectors. In one embodiment, the multi-fiber connectors 142 areOptiTip MT connectors manufactured by Corning Cable Systems LLC. Themulti-fiber connectors 142 are disposed in the interior region 110 ofthe enclosure 92. In the depicted embodiment, the multi-fiber connectors142 include dust caps 144 that are adapted for removal.

Each of the second end portions 138 of the first and second fiber opticcable stubs 130 a, 130 b extends outwardly from the first and secondfanouts 128 a, 128 b, respectively. The second end portions 138 of thefirst and second fiber optic cable stubs 130 a, 130 b include aplurality of fiber optic connectors 146 disposed on the ends of theplurality of optical fibers 132. The fiber optic connectors 146 of thesecond end portions 138 are connected to the first side 122 of the fiberoptic adapters 120.

In the depicted embodiment, the storage region 118 is disposed betweenthe termination region 114 and the fanout region 116. The storage region118 includes a plurality of bend radius protectors 148. In the subjectembodiment, the storage region 118 includes a first bend radiusprotector 148 a and a second bend radius protector 148 b.

Each of the bend radius protectors 148 includes a body 150. The body 150includes a first end 152 and an oppositely disposed second end 154. Thefirst end 152 is mounted to the base panel 112. The second end 154extends outwardly from the base panel 112. In the depicted embodiment,the body 150 includes an arcuate portion 156 that extends between thefirst and second ends 152, 154. The arcuate portion 156 has a radiusthat is greater than the minimum bend radius of the optical fibers 132of the first and second cable stubs 130 a, 130 b. In one embodiment, thearcuate portion 156 of the bend radius protector 148 extends an angle α(shown in FIG. 8) that is less than or equal to about 180°. In anotherembodiment, the angle α is greater than or equal to about 90°. Inanother embodiment, the angle α is in a range of about 90° to about180°.

The arcuate portion 156 of the first bend radius protector 148 a definesa center 158 a while the arcuate portion 156 of the second bend radiusprotector 148 b defines a center 158 b. In the depicted embodiment, thefirst and second bend radius protectors 148 a, 148 b are disposed on thebase panel 112 so that the centers 158 a, 158 b are offset. This offsetprovides an outer shape of the first and second bend radius protectors148 a, 148 b that is generally oval.

Each of the bend radius protectors 148 includes a retention projection160. The retention projection 160 extends outwardly from the second end154 of the body 150 in a generally radial direction.

In the subject embodiment, the optical fibers 132 are routed from thefirst and second fanouts 128 a, 128 b to the storage region 118. In oneembodiment, the optical fibers 132 are routed around the first andsecond bend radius protectors 148 a, 148 b and routed to the terminationregion 114. In the depicted embodiment, a portion of the optical fibers132 in the storage region 118 are disposed beneath the platform 125 ofthe fanout region 116. At the termination region 114, the fiber opticconnectors 146 are engaged to the first side 122 of the fiber opticadapters 120.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 7, the fiber optic cable 52 from themulti-service terminal 30 is routed to the enclosure 92 on the hut 22.The fiber optic cable 52 includes a first end 162 and an oppositelydisposed second end 164. The first end 162 includes a plurality ofconnectors that are engaged to the inner ports of the fiber opticadapters 46 of the multi-service terminal 30. The second end 164includes a multi-fiber connector that is adapted for engagement to oneof the first and second multi-fiber connectors 142 of the enclosure 92.

A jumper cable 166 provides communication between the enclosure 92 andthe base transceiver station 90. The jumper cable 166 includes a firstend 168 and an oppositely disposed second end 170. The first end 168 isconnected to the enclosure 92 while the second end 170 is connected tothe base transceiver station 90. In one embodiment, the first end 168includes a plurality of connectors that are engaged with the second side124 of the fiber optic adapters 120 of the enclosure 92.

In one embodiment, the second end 170 of the jumper cable 166 includes amulti-fiber connector that is engaged to the base transceiver station90. In another embodiment, the second end 170 includes a plurality ofconnectors that is engaged to the base transceiver station 90.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the base transceiver station 90 is incommunication with a telecommunications equipment rack 180 through amulti-fiber patch cable 182. The telecommunications equipment rack 180is disposed in the hut 22. In one embodiment, the telecommunicationsequipment rack 180 includes any one or more of a power distributionunit, a fiber distribution unit, a transport switch, a mobile router, amedia converter, an Ethernet panel, a DSX panel, protection and abattery.

The telecommunications equipment rack 180 is in communication with thedemarcation point 14. The demarcation point 14 is in communication withthe backhaul 16, which is in communication with the core network 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-12, an alternate embodiment of atelecommunications network 200 is shown. In the depicted embodiment, thetelecommunications network 200 includes the cell site 12, thedemarcation point 14, the backhaul 16 and the core network 18.

The cell site 12 includes the tower 20 and the hut 22. An enclosure 202is disposed on an exterior wall 204 of the hut 22. The enclosure 202includes a housing 206, a cable spool 208 disposed on an externalsurface of the housing 206 and a mounting plate 210. An enclosuresuitable for use with the telecommunications network 200 has beendescribed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0292261, whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Referring now to FIGS. 10-12, the housing 206 includes a cover 212, abase 214, a first sidewall 216, and an oppositely disposed secondsidewall 218. The first and second sidewalls 216, 218 extend outwardlyfrom the base 214 such that the base 214 and the first and secondsidewalls 216, 218 cooperatively define an interior region 220.

A termination module, generally designated 222, is disposed in theinterior region 220 of the housing 206. The termination module 222 ofthe enclosure 202 serves as the dividing line between the incomingfibers and the outgoing fibers. In the subject embodiment, thetermination module 222 is mounted to the base 214 of the housing 206. Inthe subject embodiment, the termination module 222 includes a pluralityof adapters 224.

The base 214 of the housing 206 defines a cable passage 226 throughwhich incoming optical fibers pass. The interior region 220 of thehousing 206 includes a slack storage area 228 in which is disposed aplurality of bend radius protectors 230. Each of the bend radiusprotectors 230 is sized such that an outer radius of the bend radiusprotector 230 is larger than the minimum bend radius of the opticalfiber so as to avoid attenuation damage to the optical fibers duringstorage. In the subject embodiment, the cable passage 226 is disposedbetween the slack storage area 228 and the termination module 222. Asincoming optical fibers pass through the cable passage 226, the incomingoptical fibers are routed to the slack storage area 228. Connectorizedends of the incoming optical fibers are then routed from the slackstorage area 228 to front sides 232 of the adapters 224. Connectorizedends of outgoing optical fibers are routed from the back sides 234 ofthe adapters 224 through fiber exit ports 236 which are disposed in thefirst and second sidewalls 216, 218 and to the base transceiver station90.

The cable spool 208 is disposed on an exterior of the housing 206. Inthe subject embodiment, the cable spool 208 is disposed on the back sideof the base 214. The cable spool 208 includes a first axial end 238, anoppositely disposed second axial end 240, and a spooling portion 242disposed between the first and second axial ends 238, 240. The firstaxial end 238 is rigidly engaged (i.e., non-rotatable) to the back sideof the base 214.

In one embodiment, the first axial end 238 of the cable spool 208includes a passage. During engagement of the first axial end 238 and theback side of the base 214 of the housing 206, the first axial end 238 ofthe cable spool 208 is mounted to the base 214 such that the passage isaligned with the cable passage 226. With the passage of the cable spool208 and the cable passage 226 of the base 214 aligned, incoming opticalfibers, which are coiled around the spooling portion 242 of the cablespool 208, can enter the housing 206.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-12, the fiber optic cable 52, which includesmultiple optical fibers, is coiled around the spooling portion 242 ofthe cable spool 208. The first end 162 of the fiber optic cable 52includes connectors that are engaged to the inner ports of the fiberoptic adapters 46 of the multi-service terminal 30. The second end 164includes connectorized ends, which are inserted through the passage andthe cable passage 226 and connectedly engaged with the front sides 232of the adapters 224. However, the length of fiber optic cable 52 neededbetween the enclosure 202 and the multi-service terminal 30 will varydepending upon the location of the enclosure 202 with respect to themulti-service terminal 30.

A method of selectively paying-out the fiber optic cable 52 will now bedescribed. As previously mentioned, the second end 164 of the fiberoptic cable 52 is in connected engagement with the termination module222, which is disposed in the interior region 220 of the housing 206.With the second end 164 of the fiber optic cable 52 in connectedengagement with the front sides 232 of the adapters 224 and the outgoingoptical fibers disengaged from the back sides of the adapters 224, thefiber optic cable 52 can be paid out. The first axial end 238 of thecable spool 208 is rigidly engaged to the housing 206 while the secondaxial end 240 of the cable spool 208 is engaged with the mounting plate210 so that the cable spool 208 and housing 206 can selectively rotateabout an axis 246 of the mounting plate 210. Therefore, with themounting plate 210 mounted to the exterior wall 204 of the hut 22, thedesired length of the fiber optic cable 52 can be paid out from theenclosure 202 by rotating the enclosure 202 in a rotational directionabout the axis 246 of the mounting plate 210. Since the housing 206 andthe cable spool 208 rotate unitarily about the axis 246 of the mountingplate 210, the first end 162 of the fiber optic cable 52 can be paid outwithout the second end 164 of the fiber optic cable 52 being pulled outof the termination module 222.

Once the desired length of fiber optic cable 52 has been paid out, therotation of the enclosure 202 is ceased. In one embodiment, any excessfiber optic cable 52 is stored on the spooling portion 242 of the cablespool 208. At this point, the position of the enclosure 202 can be fixedso that it does not rotate relative to the mounting plate 210.

Referring now to FIG. 13, an alternate embodiment of atelecommunications network 400 is shown. In the depicted embodiment, thetelecommunications network 400 includes the cell site 12, thedemarcation point 14, the backhaul 16 and the core network 18.

The cell site 12 includes the tower 20 and the hut 22. The tower 20includes a multi-service terminal 402 mounted to the tower 20. In thedepicted embodiment, the multi-service terminal 402 is mounted to thetop portion 26 of the tower 20. The multi-service terminal assembly 402includes a housing 404 and a cable spool 406. A terminal suitable foruse as the multi-service terminal 402 has been described in U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2009/0317047, which is hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety. The terminal is environmentally sealed. Inthe subject embodiment, the terminal includes a gasket mounted betweenthe front and back pieces of a housing. The gasket extends around theperimeter or periphery of the housing and prevents moisture fromentering the enclosed interior of the assembled housing. Anenvironmental seal preferably is provided at the access opening throughwhich the multi-fiber cable enters the housing.

Referring now to FIG. 14, the multi-service terminal assembly 402 isshown. The cable spool 406 includes a spooling portion 408 around whichthe fiber optic cable 52 is coiled or wrapped. In one embodiment, thecable spool 406 is engaged to the housing 404 of the multi-serviceterminal assembly 402. In another embodiment, the cable spool 406 isremovably engaged to the housing 404.

The cable spool 406 is engaged to the housing 404 so that the cablespool 406 and the housing 404 rotate in unison about an axis of amounting bracket to pay out the fiber optic cable 52. In one embodiment,after the fiber optic cable 52 has been paid out from the cable spool406, the cable spool 406 is removed from the housing 404.

Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, the multi-service terminal assembly402 includes a slack storage spool 408 engaged to the housing 404. Theslack storage spool 408 includes a first flange 410, a drum portion 412and a second flange 414.

The first flange 410 is engaged to the housing 404. The second flange414 is adapted for engagement with a front radial flange 416 of thecable spool 406. In the subject embodiment, a plurality of fasteners(e.g., bolts, screws, rivets, etc.) is used to engage the second flange414 to the front radial flange 416 of the cable spool 406.

The drum portion 412 is disposed between the first flange 410 and thesecond flange 414. In the subject embodiment, the drum portion 412 isreleasably engaged to the first flange 410. The releasable engagement ispotentially advantageous as it allows the drum portion 412 and thesecond flange 414 to be removed from the housing 404 in the event all ofthe fiber optic cable 52 is unwound from the cable spool 406 and theslack storage spool 408. In one embodiment, the drum portion 412 is insnap-fit engagement with the first flange 410. In another embodiment,the drum portion 412 is engaged with the first flange 410 by fasteners(e.g., bolts, screws, etc.).

The drum portion 412 is configured to receive the fiber optic cable 52so that the fiber optic cable 52 wraps around an outer surface of thedrum portion 412. In the subject embodiment, the drum portion 412 iscylindrical in shape having a cross-section that is generally oblong. Inanother embodiment, the drum portion 412 has a cross-section that isgenerally oval in shape.

Referring now to FIG. 16, an alternate embodiment of atelecommunications network 600 is shown. In the depicted embodiment, thetelecommunications network 600 includes the cell site 12, thedemarcation point 14, the backhaul 16 and the core network 18.

The cell site 12 includes the tower 20 and the hut 22. Atelecommunications equipment rack 602 is disposed in the hut 22. In thedepicted embodiment, the telecommunications equipment rack 602 includesa cable drawer assembly 604. The cable drawer assembly 604 includes alength of fiber optic cable 606 that can be paid out from the cabledrawer assembly. In the depicted embodiment, the fiber optic cable 606extends from the cable drawer assembly 604 to the base transceiverstation 90.

Referring now to FIGS. 17 and 18, the cable drawer assembly 604 isshown. A cable drawer assembly suitable for use with thetelecommunications equipment rack 602 has been described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. Nos. 61/227,247 and 61/261,657, the disclosures ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The cabledrawer assembly 604 includes a drawer, generally designated 608, and acable spool, generally designated 610, rotatably disposed in the drawer608.

The drawer 608 includes a base panel 612, a first sidewall 614, anoppositely disposed second sidewall 616, and a third sidewall 618. Thefirst, second and third sidewalls 614, 616, 618 extend outwardly fromthe base panel 612. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the first,second and third sidewalls 614, 616, 618 extend outwardly in a directionthat is generally perpendicular to the base panel 612. In the depictedembodiment of FIG. 17, the first sidewall 614 is generally parallel tothe second sidewall 616. The first sidewall 614 includes a first end 620a and an oppositely disposed second end 620 b while the second sidewall616 includes a first end 622 a and an oppositely disposed second end 622b. The first ends 620 a, 622 a of the first and second sidewalls 614,616 and the base 612 cooperatively define a first opening 623 of thedrawer 608.

The third sidewall 618 is disposed between the second ends 620 b, 622 bof the first and second sidewalls 614, 616 and oriented so that thethird sidewall 618 is generally perpendicular to the first and secondsidewalls 614, 616. The third sidewall 618 includes a first end 624 aand an oppositely disposed second end 624 b.

In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 17, the first and second ends 624 a,624 b of the third sidewall 618 do not abut the second ends 620 b, 622 bof the first and second sidewalls 614, 616, respectively. The second end620 b of the first sidewall, the first end 624 a of the third sidewall618 and the base panel 612 define a first passage 626 while the secondend 622 b of the second sidewall 616, the second end 624 b of the thirdsidewall 618 and the base panel 612 define a second passage 628. Each ofthe first and second passages 626, 628 provides access to an interiorregion 630 of the drawer 608, which is cooperatively defined by thefirst, second and third sidewalls 614, 616, 618 and the base panel 612.

The third sidewall 618 defines an access opening 632. The access opening632 is disposed between the first and second ends 624 a, 624 b of thethird sidewall 618. The access opening 632 extends through the thirdsidewall 618. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the accessopening 632 is a generally U-shaped opening.

The cable spool 610 is rotatably disposed in the interior region 630 ofthe drawer 608. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the cable spool610 includes a first flange 636, an oppositely disposed second flange638 and a drum disposed between the first and second flanges 636, 638.The fiber optic cable 606 is wrapped around the drum of the cable spool610.

The second flange 638 includes a first surface 640, an oppositelydisposed second surface 642 that is disposed adjacent to the drum, andan outer peripheral side 644. The second flange 638 further includes acable management portion 646 and an adapter bulkhead portion 648.

The cable management portion 646 includes a cable pass-thru 650 thatextends through the first and second surfaces 640, 642 of the secondflange 638. The cable pass-thru 650 provides a passage through which anend portion of the fiber optic cable 606 can pass from the drum throughthe second flange 638 so that the portion of the fiber optic cable 606is disposed in the cable management portion 646.

The cable management portion 646 includes a strain relief spool 654. Thestrain relief spool 654 is disposed on the second surface 642 of thesecond flange 638 adjacent to the cable pass-thru 650. The strain reliefspool 654 is adapted to receive a portion of the end portion of thefiber optic cable 606. The portion of the fiber optic cable 606 iswrapped around the strain relief spool 654. The strain relief spool 654protects the end portion of the fiber optic cable 606 disposed in thecable management portion 646 from being disrupted in the event that thefiber optic cable 606 is pulled after all of the fiber optic cable 606disposed around the drum of the cable spool 610 has been paid out.

The cable management portion 646 further includes a plurality of cablemanagement spools 656 around which the end portions 652 of the fiberoptic cable 606 are coiled. In the depicted embodiment of FIGS. 17 and18, the end portions 652 of the fiber optic cable 606 are loosely coiledaround the cable management spools 656. This loose coiling providesexcess lengths of individual fibers of the end portions of the fiberoptic cable 606. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the cablemanagement portion 646 includes a first cable management spool 656 a anda second cable management spool 656 b.

The cable management portion 646 further includes a fan-out mountingarea 660 that is adapted to receive a fan-out 662. In one aspect of thepresent disclosure, the fan-out mounting area 660 includes a pluralityof fan-outs 662. The fan-outs 662 serve as a transition location betweenthe fiber optic cable 606 and the individual upjacketed fibers of thefiber optic cable 606. In one aspect of the present disclosure, thefan-out mounting area 660 includes a plurality of fasteners 664 (e.g.,screws, nuts, etc.) that retains the fan-out 662 in the fan-out mountingarea 660.

The cable management portion 646 further includes a plurality of cableanchors 676. The cable anchors 676 extend outwardly from the secondsurface 642 of the second flange 638 and define an opening through whicha cable tie can pass. The cable tie is adapted for retaining the fiberoptic cable 606 in the cable management portion 646.

The adapter bulkhead portion 648 extends outwardly from the cablemanagement portion 646 of the second flange 638. In one aspect of thepresent disclosure, the adapter bulkhead portion 648 is aboutperpendicular to the cable management portion 646. The adapter bulkheadportion 648 is generally planar in shape and forms a chordal sidesurface of the second flange 638 of the cable spool 610. In one aspectof the present disclosure, the adapter bulkhead portion 648 is generallyparallel to the first opening 623 of the drawer 608 when the cable spool610 is in a first stored position (best shown in FIG. 17).

The adapter bulkhead portion 648 is adapted to receive a plurality ofadapters 678. The adapter bulkhead portion 648 defines a plurality ofadapter openings in which the plurality of adapters 678 is mounted.

The cable drawer assembly 604 further includes a cover 680. The cover680 is adapted for engagement with the drawer 608. When the cover 608 isengaged to the drawer 608, the cover 680 is generally parallel to thebase panel 612 and extends between the first and second sidewalls 614,616.

The use of the cable drawer assembly 604 will be described. With thefiber optic cable 606 coiled around the drum of the cable spool 610 andthe end portion of the fiber optic cable 606 engaged with a first side690 of the adapters 678 in the adapter bulkhead portion 648, a secondend 692 of the fiber optic cable 606 can be paid out. As the second end692 is paid out, the cable spool 610 rotates in the drawer 608 about arotation axis 694. After the second end 692 of the fiber optic cable 606has been paid out, a second side 696 of the adapters 678 can be engagedwith a connectorized cable (e.g., patch cable, jumper cable, etc.). Inone aspect of the present disclosure, the entire length of the fiberoptic cable 606 is not completely deployed during pay out. In thisscenario, the residual length of fiber optic cable 606 (which is equalto the entire length minus the deployed length) remains coiled aroundthe drum of the cable spool 610.

Various modifications and alterations of this disclosure will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scopeand spirit of this disclosure, and it should be understood that thescope of this disclosure is not to be unduly limited to the illustrativeembodiments set forth herein.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A fiber optic cable assembly for connectionto remote transceivers on a cell tower, the fiber optic cable assemblycomprising: a housing defining an access opening at one end, the accessopening being environmentally sealed, the housing including first andsecond pieces that cooperatively define a closed interior of thehousing, the interior of the housing being environmentally sealed; amain cable including a plurality of optical fibers, the main cablehaving a length suitable for extending from the ground to an upperregion of the cell tower, the main cable extending through the accessopening of the housing, the optical fibers of the main cable beingbroken out within the housing; a spool about which at least part of themain cable is coiled; and a plurality of break-out cables coupled to thehousing, the break out cables being optically coupled to the opticalfibers of the main cable which are broken out within the housing, thebreak-out cables including multi-fiber connectors adapted for connectionto the remote transceivers.
 2. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim1, wherein the spool is carried with the housing.
 3. The fiber opticcable assembly of claim 1, further comprising an enclosure disposed at abase of the cell tower, the enclosure including a base and a removablecover.
 4. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 3, wherein the spoolis mounted with the enclosure.
 5. The fiber optic cable assembly ofclaim 3, wherein the enclosure includes a termination region at whichoptical adapters are disposed.
 6. The fiber optic cable assembly ofclaim 5, wherein the enclosure includes a fanout region at which atleast one fanout is disposed.
 7. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim5, wherein the enclosure includes a storage region at which bend radiusprotectors are disposed.
 8. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 3,wherein the main cable extends into the enclosure.
 9. The fiber opticcable assembly of claim 3, wherein the enclosure is disposed at anexternal wall of a hut located adjacent the base of the cell tower. 10.The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofbreak-out cables include at least three break-out cables.
 11. The fiberoptic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of break-outcables include at least four break-out cables.
 12. The fiber optic cableassembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of break-out cables includeat least five break-out cables.
 13. The fiber optic cable assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of break-out cables include at least sixbreak-out cables.
 14. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, whereinthe first and second pieces of the housing are joined by fasteners. 15.The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and secondpieces of the housing are elongated along a central longitudinal axis.16. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the spoolincludes a primary storage area between first and second flanges and asecondary storage area between the second flange and a third flange. 17.The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein at an end of thefiber optic cable assembly opposite from the housing the fiber opticcable assembly includes a fan-out from which a plurality of fiber opticpigtails extend.
 18. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, whereinthe housing carries a plurality of optical adapters having inner portsaccessible from within the housing and outer ports accessible from anexterior of the housing.
 19. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 18,wherein the optical adapters are ruggedized.
 20. The fiber optic cableassembly of claim 1, wherein an end of the main cable opposite thehousing is terminated by a multi-fiber connector.